Rob's Blog

Well, who’d have believed it? A solitary mushroom has grown to an almost respectable size. I think within a day or two, it might actually resemble a mushroom, and it will be harvested, and that will be the end of this fascinating saga. Don’t panic though! I know you’ll all miss this excitement, so I am already considering a second series… I am thinking perhaps carrots, or maybe even broccolli. Perhaps, if Zaphod would be so kind as to set up another online survey, we could canvas my vast and expansive audience on which vegetable they would like me to grow next?

So, here are the photos from the last two days:

Welcome to today’s exciting instalment of the Mushroom Diaries. In yesterday’s cliff-hanger, we left our intrepid mushroom starting to explore the strange new world of “The Above”….

Whilst the photo doesn’t quite do it justice, the baby mushroom has definitely grown a little bit overnight. I can also see loads of other little mushrooms just below the surface, all waiting for their chance to hatch. Sorry, no – that’s what chickens do.

Hurry back for tomorrow’s episode.

Mushroom Fact
Mycophobia is the fear of, or aversion to, mushrooms.

According to this website, mycophobia “often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences mushroom phobia in their own way and may have different symptoms.”

Pretty serious stuff then!

Finally, after 36 days, the first sign of a mushroom poking it’s head out of the mud. I know I was a bit down about this whole mushroom business yesterday, but at least we’re seeing the results of all this hard work. I know all my devoted readers will be relieved (that it’s finally almost over) too.

Here is the evidence:

No need for a mushroom fact today. Come back tomorrow for what will hopefully be a full grown mushroom!

Anyone getting bored yet?

Because the mushroom kit was a gift, I feel obliged to give my fungi every chance of success and continue with the experiment. Unfortunately just like my readers, I am losing interest (and any hope I once had that the mushrooms are actually going to do anything).

Top 5 Mushroom Movies

1. El Hombre de los hongos (The Mushroom Eater)
2. The Mushroom Picker
3. The Mushroom Club
4. Number 13 (also known as “The Magic Mushroom People of Oz”)
5. Matango (also known as “Curse of the Mushroom People / The Fungus of Terror)

I have resumed watering. I just couldn’t sit around waiting any longer, without trying something. The mushrooms clearly aren’t growing, and surely being left to sit in a box of dry mud isn’t going to encourage them. I’ll probably start the whole watering cycle again, so 250ml for a few days, then 500ml a day for another few days. If no mushrooms have grown by day 60, I will admit defeat.

Mushroom Joke

A small twin-prop commuter plane was hijacked by a desperate pro-life animal rights left wing rightist (make up your own) who vowed to kill one of the passengers to demonstrate his/her/its serious intentions. There were two passengers present, a microbiologist and a yeast geneticist. The hijacker gave each one two minutes to explain why they shouldn’t be killed. The microbiologist (who studied bacteria) talked for 1 minute 59 seconds explaining that he studies bacteria, bacteria are model organisms for the study of genetics and physiology and etc. etc. (you fill in the gaps) and finished with an emotional, bacteria-laden plea which had the hijacker in tears. When he was done, they turned to the yeast geneticist who said, “let me explain to you why yeast genetics is an important discipline…” but he was interrupted by the microbiologist who exclaimed “Shoot me! Shoot me!”

From: Mycology mailing list archives – original source unknown

I know you’re all really disappointed that I didn’t post a mushroom update yesterday, and for that I’m truly sorry. Do not despair however, as I didn’t forget to take a photo (I just didn’t get around to posting it up here yesterday).

So, without further ado, here’s yesterday’s pic:

Now, not all that different from Day 27, you might think (or Day 26, or Day 25… yeah yeah I know), but wait until you see today’s photo. Big difference today, see:

Now wasn’t it worth the wait? I know some of my readers are getting impatient, and seem to think that threatening my mushrooms by eating their commercially grown brethren might do the trick, but I will not allow that sort of barbarism. I want my mushrooms to grow up in an environment where they know they’ll be safe from hungry people, fungicides and any other natural disasters.

Speaking of natural disasters, I’m pretty sure one of our cats has trampled across the mushroom box, as there are what appears to be paw prints, and a small trail of mud leading away from the cupboard… Hopefully they won’t try and use it as a litter tray.

Anyway, enough for today – more tomorrow. Betcha can’t wait ;o)

Mushroom Fact
There are 2 basic groups of fungi: yeasts and moulds. Mould spores germinate to produce the branching filaments known as hyphae. Yeasts, on the other hand, are solitary rounded forms that reproduce through such mechanisms as budding or fission

From: Doctor Fungus

It’s all happening down in that bottom right corner. I just know the mushrooms will grow soon – I can feel it.

No mushroom fact today, as I’ve been struggling to find new and exciting mushroom trivia. Instead, for anyone that’s interested in growing their own mushrooms, you can buy kits from here (AU) or here (UK).

The flash on our digital camera is making the photos a little washed out, but there is definitely something happening in the bottom left corner. There is once again far more whitish mouldy stuff growing, and it seems to run quite deep into the mud. Moving the box back into the cupboard was clearly the right thing to do. If this keeps up, I might hold off with the spraying in case I disrupt any mushroom potential.

Mushroom Fact
In 2005, it is estimated that poachers made off with 10% of Frances’ truffle crop, worth an approximately 2.1 million Euros.

From: Can’t find the original source, but found this exciting mushroom fact here

There’s definitely some new fungal growth happening in the corner of the box now. Could this be the turning point? Could I wake up tomorrow with a cupboard full of mushrooms, ripe for the harvesting? Oh – the anticipation…

Mushroom Fact
There are approximately 25,000 US patents for products or techniques related to fungi.

From: A rudimentary search of Free Patents Online

I have decided to go with the no watering policy for a few more days. If nothing happens by maybe next Monday, I’ll start drenching the mushrooms just like at the start of the whole process.

Top 5 Mushroom Related Songs and Music

1. The Mushroom Song
2. Mushroom Songs [Mercyful Fate]
3. Badger Badger Badger Mushroom (A favourite of Mr Badger)
4. Mushroom by Can
5. Ooh Ahh Just A Little Bit by Gina G